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Preventing mailbox vandalism

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Brad

12-10-2001 05:50:07




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Hello, farmallers. I live in rural central Mich. and For the third time in two years I have had my mailbox bashed in. Any ideas on how top prevent this. My first thoughts are to get a mailbox that is molded plastic. Any thoughts or ideas would be helpful.




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mark

12-10-2001 19:34:14




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
My neighbor built a small cage around his using 1" square tubing. Keeps them form smashing it with a bat.



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RayP(MI)

12-10-2001 18:58:43




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
Brad, I too live in Central Michigan - Northern Montcalm County. I've taken to watching the sales, and buy cheap mail boxes on sale. Usually always have a spare one in stock. They last about as long as the good ones. I've gone through all kinds. Plastic ones don't last any longer than the metal ones. They break, or the kids will come back and rip them off the mountings. I've dreamed about building a vandal proof one too, even have the 6" drill stem. My attorney has told me in terms that leave no doubt that I would be taking a great risk if I use it, and some clown gets hurt, accidentally, or while trying to vandalize. My advice, keep denting the old one back, long's you can and keep a spare in stock. There's always another stupid kid with a six pack in place of his judgement. My last job was at 1:40 am, by the time I got out the house they were long gone. If you can get your mail person to allow you to put your box back up the driveway a few feet, it will help. Most carriers don't want to have to drive in, back out though. Where you located?

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Haas another idea

12-10-2001 16:54:39




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
One thing that helps is to just drive a steel "tee" fence post in the ground next to the approach side of the box. This is a deterent to anyone driving by and giving the box a wack with a bat. Not perfect, but cheap and it helps.



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ohioron

12-10-2001 16:42:05




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
If you make them too good they put a chain around them and drag them off here in Ohio. Lost two this year and both times (after they did 20 to 30 the same nite) they got caught. Their folks made them come and fix them or pay. I got $40 both times. It seems like a waste but if you turn it in to the sherrif, and if they catch them down the road, they'll be made to come and fix it or pay you to fix it. Al;so just get adjusted to fixing them. Good Luck

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Leadfoot

12-10-2001 20:03:52




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 Re: Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to ohioron, 12-10-2001 16:42:05  
I know some folks that live outside of Houston,Ohio. After quite a few "bashings" the guy hired a mason to build him a mailbox (post,box,and all) out of brick. ($$) It lasted 2 weeks and then somebody put a pipebomb (that is what the Sherriff said)in it. Needless to say the pipebomb blew the mailbox all to !@#$.



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kev@ia

12-10-2001 15:50:00




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
To bad there isn't a archive of the Tales forum, this proablem has been covered several times and some of the posting were pretty inovative and others durn funny, the cure has not been found over there though either.
farmer kev



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Bill B

12-10-2001 13:58:35




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
My box is 30 years old, and very strong, so it just has a small dent where they wacked it a few years ago. I bet that hurt. My neighbor had one of those cheap aluminum ones, and they gave that the el kabong on the top, and flattened it. He works at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, so had a nice stainless steel one made from 1/4 inch plate. No more problem. My brother just got mail delivery in his tiny town in Vermont, so he bought his new box at mailbox.com and he said they had them from cheap to 1/4 inch plate. I have mine mounted just past the telephone pole, so it is difficult to hit, and the plow trucks would have to take down the pole first. I remember hitting a pole when I was plowing many years ago, it still has the scar where the top of the blade hit it a glancing blow. Years ago when I lived in Vermont, my neighbor installed a brand new box on a new pole, and as we were admiring his work, I asked if he had his candy for trick or treat that night. You should have seen his face when he realized it was oct 31. Sure enough, the box was history in the morning, and he went to the PO and rented an indoor box.

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taylor Lambert

12-10-2001 13:39:39




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
I have a freind that built his mail box opst on pipe that has a reach of 6 feet, it pivots on the base ad has springs to return it to center. he then plated it on the sides to take the the brunt of an attack. Here the sheriffs department as set up a few stings to catch bashers. i live on a dead end road and kids who arent familiar with the area will bash and drive to the old gravel road that dead ends. gives us time to park the dump truck in the road or take the backhoe and push the gravel in a pile so they cant get out till the sherriff comes by.

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wh

12-10-2001 12:11:13




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
had to look for a picture of one we built a few years ago. this box sits about 25 ft off the road. gentleman was replacing mialbox 3 -4 times a month. bottom of box is 8" I beam turned sideways, sides are 1/2" X 4". top is cut from 10" pipe with 3/8"wall. Door and end is made from 3/8" plate. post is 4" filled with concrete. He used 18 sacks of quick crete in hole (yes 18 sacks). picture is a litle fuzzy. made from copy.

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taylor Lambert

12-10-2001 11:37:17




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
I have a freind that built his mail box opst on pipe that has a reach of 6 feet, it pivots on the base ad has springs to return it to center. he then plated it on the sides to take the the brunt of an attack. Here the sheriffs department as set up a few stings to catch bashers. i live on a dead end road and kids who arent familiar with the area will bash and drive to the old gravel road that dead ends. gives us time to park the dump truck in the road or take the backhoe and push the gravel in a pile so they cant get out till the sherriff comes by.

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Brad

12-10-2001 11:43:00




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 Re: Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to taylor Lambert, 12-10-2001 11:37:17  
I like that. I remember a kid I knew (18 years ago) was in the middle of a lawn job, then got stuck right in front of the guys house. The home owner came out side, opened the door and clocked him right in the face!



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Jim (Mi)

12-10-2001 10:41:35




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
Brings back memories. I was one of those bored kids growing up.Seemed so much fun as a kid when I wasn't replacing them. The problem with the cement idea is it is a little robust and liable. I had a few cement ones knocked out by the snow plow guy. The local depts generally frown on their truck blades getting pushed back, and you could get in trouble, even if you have it set within their limits. Also think that a box w/o cement has give. In today's world a kid might whack it, and have his arms broke, then what; lawsuit. I payed my dues by replacing mine a few times in the past. just put up the cheap ones. I like the motion light though.

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Glenn(WV)

12-10-2001 11:43:34




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 Re: Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Jim (Mi), 12-10-2001 10:41:35  
Jim, your point on liability is good. It's pretty sad when someone can sue you(and WIN) because he hurt himself while vandalizing your property. I have to admit I do like the concrete mailbox idea, though!



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Bob(WI)

12-10-2001 11:32:45




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 Re: Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Jim (Mi), 12-10-2001 10:41:35  
Very well said Jim, even if the kid is damaging your property he or his family can hold you liable for injuries or death, think about it, it could be your kid that is out doing it and ends up hurt or worse, are you gonna say he deserved it and thank the mail box owner for showing him a leason? Check with your local Post Master they have a set of guide lines of do's and don'ts.
We were all young once and I would bet we all did some things we shouldn't have.

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ff316

12-10-2001 08:56:19




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
Get one of those BIG boxes. stand it on end and cut a pipe to fit inside. Fill the rest with cement as suggested below. Mount it on a big metal pipe buried in about five feet of cement. Then paint a big target on the side. When that punk hits it with a bat either he's gonna break his arm or the bat is going to bounce back and hit him in the head, knocking his punk a-- out. Good luck! Fireman

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wh

12-10-2001 08:45:06




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
have the same problem here in Al. Use 8 X 8 1/4" wall tubing. Use 1/4 plate for end and door. mount to 4x4 X 11 ga. tubing. Last mailbox you should need.



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Haas

12-10-2001 08:20:26




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
If you have 3 in two years, that is a little more than normal. I find I have to replace about once per year. I've thought of trying to go with a heavy steel one or also the concrete alternative, but mail boxes only cost about $5 at Wal Mart, so I just go down and put up a new one.



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ralph

12-10-2001 09:49:52




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 Re: Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Haas, 12-10-2001 08:20:26  
Haas: Your $5 replacement may be best. At least they don't drive unto the place and do hundreds of $$ of damage. That then would require strongest reply. r.



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Dave_Id

12-10-2001 07:23:53




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
Molded plastic doesn't work, it just irratates the culprits. Even polyethylene will break when its struck, especially when cold. I have even had them stop, back up and run it over, but mostly they like to use a bat, and hit it as they drive by. So the best boxes are the heavy duty steel ones. We haven't lost one now in about six months, but spring is the time the kids get out with their 12 packs on the back roads, and enjoy some mailbox baseball.

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Steven@nd

12-10-2001 07:06:00




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
Never had that problem yet. Some ideas: motion sensing security camera so you can see who does it, cement block in the box so they get damaged, fill it with dynamite and wait for the explosion, build a box out of 1/4" steel plate - weld to oil well pipe about 10' long and cement it in place.

I like the suggestion of broken radiator and missing teeth too.

Hope you catch the little B@$T@RD$!

Steven

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Moses

12-10-2001 05:55:20




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 Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Brad, 12-10-2001 05:50:07  
A friend of mine had the same problem. He took a smaller mailbox, put it inside a larger mailbox, and filled in between the two with cement.



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George

12-10-2001 06:47:14




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 Re: Re: Preventing mailbox vandalism in reply to Moses, 12-10-2001 05:55:20  
Built mine out of 3/8" steel plate and put it on a 10" well caseing filled with cement. The last young punk "croppin", to hit it with Daddys 4x4 lost his front teeth, seems like the truck lost its radiator and his teeth run plum into my fist when he couldn't drive away! thought about the liability tho' if someone lost control accidently.I guess I'll cross that bridge when I arrive at it. Geo. in So. Mich.

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